A new course to help professionals identify mental health risks amongst children and young people has been developed by Sheffield Hallam University.

Following the Prime Minister's pledge to 'transform' attitudes to mental health, academics from the University's Nursing and Midwifery department will be launching the year-long post-graduate certificate in child, adolescent and family mental health (CAFMH) which is aimed at those working with children and teenagers with mental health issues.

Starting in September 2017, the distance learning course will teach students about early intervention within child and adolescent mental health whilst exploring specific conditions and the role of health promotion.

It is hoped the course will be adapted and developed to equip people working in schools with the skills to identify mental health symptoms.

Greg Thomas, CAFMH course leader and senior lecturer in mental health nursing at Sheffield Hallam, said: "Theresa May's announcement is finally shining a light on this important area of healthcare and I welcome her plans to improve services, raise awareness and banish the stigma that exists around young people's mental health.

"The focus of the Prime Minister's plans is upon early intervention and raising awareness of child and adolescent mental health in those that are dealing with it on a regular basis. This new course at Sheffield Hallam University will equip those professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to do this effectively."

"Not all professionals working with children and adolescents will have had training in this area and we hope to be able to extend the offer out to teachers, social workers, youth workers and school nurses as well as to those delivering the proposed mental health training in primary and secondary schools."